The Gentle Breeze Reflects in My Eyes - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Xia Lusheng clung to Gu Yitong’s embrace with such quiet docility that it was impossible to see any trace of the person who had lost control at the martial arts hall. Only the gauze wrapped around her hand served as a constant reminder to Gu Yitong that it hadn’t been a dream.

After a long while, Gu Yitong sighed and rubbed the girl’s head. “Alright, it’s late. Time for sleep.”

Xia Lusheng obediently let go, felt for the edge of the summer quilt, and lay down. She shifted to the side, carving out a space for Gu Yitong next to her uninjured hand.

They lay side by side. A sliver of moonlight filtered through a gap in the curtains. By this faint light, Gu Yitong turned to watch her; the girl’s breathing was steady, her sleeping face serene. Gu Yitong gently took her hand, interlacing their fingers. The suppressed emotions in her chest eased, and her restless heart finally found its footing.

If another accident happened to Lusheng right in front of her, Gu Yitong didn’t know how she would handle it.

Because of the hand injury, Gu Yitong called Zhao Yasu early the next morning to ask for leave.

Zhao Yasu sounded incredibly anxious, firing off questions: “How did she hurt her hand? Is it serious? What did the doctor say?”

Gu Yitong replied, “Don’t worry, Teacher Zhao. No bones or tendons were hit. We just did a simple bandaging last night; we haven’t seen a doctor yet.”

Zhao Yasu hesitated for a moment. “Then… does that mean she can’t go to S City for the competition?”

Gu Yitong paused. “Yes. I don’t plan on letting her compete until her hand is fully healed.”

Zhao Yasu sounded disappointed.

At ten in the morning, Gu Yitong took Xia Lusheng to the hospital. As the familiar scent of disinfectant hit her nose, Lusheng’s body tensed; she couldn’t help but think of the time her mother was hospitalized.

The doctor unwrapped the gauze and inspected the palm. “The initial treatment was very professional. No major issues. Come back every other day to change the dressing; it should be healed in about a week.”

After leaving the hospital, Gu Yitong took Lusheng straight to the company. Qi Die was waiting in Yitong’s office. Glancing at Lusheng’s hand, Qi Die asked, “Little Teacher, how’s the hand?”

Lusheng blinked, then said flatly, “It’s fine.”

Gu Yitong looked at Qi Die in surprise. Why did Qi Die react as if she already knew about the injury?

Just as she was wondering, Qi Die spoke again: “Little Teacher, you stay here in Yitong’s office for a bit. I need to borrow her to discuss some business in my office.”

Suspecting nothing, Xia Lusheng nodded.

The moment they entered Qi Die’s office, before Gu Yitong could even open her mouth, Qi Die slapped her on the shoulder.

“Gu Yitong, what is wrong with you?”

Without giving Yitong a chance to respond, Qi Die unleashed a barrage of words: “Why did you turn down Teacher Zhao about the S City trip? Is there a screw loose in your head? Do you have any idea how rare this kind of concert is?!”

Gu Yitong was stunned. “How do you know about that?”

“Teacher Zhao came to the cafe this morning. I found out while we were chatting.”

Gu Yitong understood now. No wonder Qi Die knew about the hand—Teacher Zhao must have told her.

“Well? Why did you say no?” Qi Die pressed.

Gu Yitong didn’t tell the whole truth. “The expenses are a bit much.”

“Bullsh*t!” Qi Die snapped. She poked Yitong’s shoulder repeatedly. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. You’re worried because the company is busy, aren’t you? Do you think the company is going to collapse the moment I, Qi Die, take over?! You, Gu Yitong! Right now! Call Teacher Zhao and agree to this!”

Looking at the aggressive Qi Die, a wave of warmth rose in Yitong’s heart. How could she not understand her best friend’s intentions?

Seeing Yitong unmoved, Qi Die’s anger vanished, replaced by a softer tone. “Yitong, do you really think I’m the kind of person who values business more than friends? That I’d hold a grudge over this?”

“I know you’re not.”

“Then stop overthinking it,” Qi Die continued. “This concert doesn’t happen every year, and the lineup changes every time. I heard from Teacher Zhao who’s performing—it would be a crime to miss it. As for the youth competition, even if Lusheng can’t play because of her hand, it’s good for her to be there and soak in the atmosphere. The company has me. It won’t fall apart in half a month. But don’t think you’re slacking off when you get back—you’ll have to make up every bit of work you missed!”

Gu Yitong looked at her for a long moment before saying, “Die, thank you.”

Qi Die rolled her eyes. “Are you going to let Lusheng go alone? Could you even sleep? Besides, look at her—who else is she close to besides you?”

Yitong remembered a time when Lusheng worked at the cafe. Qi Die had seen her tentatively feeling her way along the wall to the restroom. That path was difficult; for aesthetic reasons, the wall was lined with roses of varying heights, their thorns unclipped. Even as she pricked her hands repeatedly, Lusheng had stubbornly refused Qi Die’s help, insisting on finding her own way. That day, Qi Die had ordered all the roses removed and “extorted” the cost of the flowers from Yitong, arguing that since the waste was for Yitong’s girl, Yitong should pay.

When Gu Yitong returned to her office, Xia Lusheng was sitting on the sofa, using one hand to review her Braille. Yitong sat beside her and told her the news about S City.

Lusheng hadn’t known about the plan and was momentarily dazed. “…S City?”

Sensing her hesitation, Gu Yitong smiled. She reached out to straighten Lusheng’s collar. “Don’t worry. I’m going with you.”

Only then did Lusheng’s heart settle. She beamed and nodded.

…

The hand injury healed faster than expected. By the time they set off for S City, it was nearly better. At the airport, Zhao Yasu looked at the scabbed palm and sighed with regret. “If I’d known it would heal this fast, I would have kept your registration. The wound wouldn’t affect your playing now.”

Gu Yitong smiled and consoled her, “There will be other opportunities.”

As Zhao Yasu was about to respond, a chorus of excited voices erupted.

“Teacher Zhao!” “Teacher Zhao, you’re so early!”

Before Yitong and Lusheng could react, four or five teenagers swarmed them, bubbling with energy.

“Teacher Zhao, this is my first time on a plane! I’m so nervous!” a boy exclaimed, his eyes sparkling.

“Chen Jiale, you’re so low! How have you never flown before? So provincial,” a girl teased him.

The boy pretended to be offended, rolling up his sleeves. “Yu Qi! Did you just call me provincial?!” The group burst into laughter.

Zhao Yasu interrupted them, stepping toward Yitong and Lusheng. “Alright, you little monkeys, settle down. Let me introduce you. This is Lusheng, and this is Sister Yitong.”

Gu Yitong smiled and greeted them, “Hello, everyone. I’m Lusheng’s sister.”

Yu Qi looked curiously at the silent Xia Lusheng. “Teacher Zhao, is this our little junior sister?” Before Zhao Yasu could answer, Yu Qi skipped forward and extended her hand. “Hi! I’m Yu Qi.”

Zhao Yasu froze. She suddenly realized she had forgotten to tell the other students that Xia Lusheng was blind.

While she was still reeling, she saw Gu Yitong take Lusheng’s hand and place it into Yu Qi’s extended one.

Xia Lusheng was caught off guard. When she realized what Yitong was doing, she froze and instinctively tried to withdraw, but Yitong held her wrist firmly. She was forced to shake Yu Qi’s hand. Then she heard Yitong call her name: “Lusheng?”

Lusheng’s body became rigid. After a moment of heavy silence, she said stiffly, “Hello. My name is Xia Lusheng.”

As soon as she spoke, Yitong released her. Lusheng snatched her hand back as if she’d touched a venomous snake, her jaw tight.

Yu Qi stared at her, stunned by the reaction. Behind her, Chen Jiale pulled on Yu Qi’s sleeve and whispered, “I think… she can’t see.”

It wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough for everyone to hear. The boisterous teenagers went silent. Yu Qi took a step back, retreating toward her friends. They began to steal glances at Lusheng, whispering, “She really can’t see.”

Zhao Yasu’s guilt deepened. She looked at Lusheng; the girl was standing perfectly straight, her face calm, but an aura like cold ice emanated from her.

“Alright,” Zhao Yasu said quickly to the group, “go get your boarding passes and keep an eye on your luggage.”

As they moved toward the line, they couldn’t help but keep looking back at Lusheng.

Gu Yitong acted as if she hadn’t noticed the whispers. She watched them leave with a faint smile, then said to Zhao Yasu, “Teacher Zhao, you go ahead. Lusheng and I will join you in a moment.”

Zhao Yasu sighed and followed the students.

Left alone, Gu Yitong turned to face Lusheng. Her voice softened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know Teacher Zhao was bringing other students.”

Lusheng remained silent, her lips pressed tight.

Gu Yitong knew that wasn’t the only reason she was upset. “Are you mad because I forced you to shake that girl’s hand? Did I make you feel embarrassed?”

At those words, the grievance in Lusheng’s heart exploded. Her nose prickled, and tears welled up instantly, but she stubbornly tilted her head back, refusing to let them fall.